Mexican Street Corn Salad (Printable)

Charred corn with creamy lime dressing, fresh herbs, and Cotija cheese bring vibrant flavors to summer gatherings.

# Ingredient List:

→ Vegetables

01 - 4 cups fresh corn kernels (from approximately 5 ears, or frozen and thawed)
02 - 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
03 - 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
04 - 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped (optional)
05 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

→ Dressing

06 - 1/4 cup mayonnaise
07 - 1/4 cup sour cream
08 - 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (approximately 1 lime)
09 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
10 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
11 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
12 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Cheese and Garnish

13 - 1/2 cup Cotija cheese, crumbled (plus extra for serving)
14 - Lime wedges, for serving

# How to Prepare:

01 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high. Add corn kernels and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly charred, 5–7 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
02 - In a mixing bowl, whisk mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper until fully blended.
03 - Add the charred corn, diced red bell pepper, finely chopped red onion, jalapeño, and chopped cilantro to the bowl. Toss to evenly distribute dressing.
04 - Gently fold in Cotija cheese to maintain texture.
05 - Transfer to a serving dish. Top with additional Cotija cheese and garnish with lime wedges. Serve immediately or chill for 30 minutes for a colder salad.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • A single squeeze of lime brings every ingredient alive—like a secret handshake for flavor.
  • It's quick to make, adaptable, and tends to disappear faster than anything else at the cookout.
02 -
  • Don’t crowd the corn in the skillet—otherwise, you lose the char and the salad tastes flat.
  • Add the cheese last or it can get gummy; mixing it too soon really dulls the texture.
03 -
  • Let the salad stand for a few minutes after mixing so every ingredient catches the flavor.
  • Don’t skimp on lime juice—the more citrus, the brighter the taste.
Return